Criminal and Civil Penalties Under Michigan Marijuana Law

Michigan Marijuana Law Penalties

With Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act (MRTMA), there’s a quite revolutionary set of laws which govern marijuana activities. It’s no doubt why I’m frequently asked, “what are the penalties under the Michigan marijuana law?”

We all now know that an adult possessing marijuana is legal but what about using it in public, or possessing more than what you’re allowed to have? How about driving under the influence of marijuana or selling it without a license? Below I will break it down by separating different offenses by their penalties. (the applicable section number from which the penalty is derived in in parentheses)

Facing drug charges including marijuana? Unhappy with your current attorney? Request a free consultation now.

$100 civil infraction (Sec. 15.1)

In terms of Michigan marijuana penalties, let’s start with the fact that an adult using marijuana in public is punishable by a $100 fine. That’s it. No matter how many times you commit the offense, it will always be no more than a $100 civil infraction.

The same is true for cultivating marijuana in your residence in a manner where the plants are visible to another standing in a public place.

Also, possessing more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana at your home without the excess being secure enough to restrict access from others.

These three actions are punishable by a $100 fine only and forever.

Possessing or growing more less than two times the amount allowed by law (Sec. 15.2)

The MRTMA permits the purchase and possession of 2.5 ounces of marijuana at one time. An exception is in one’s residence, an adult may possess up to 10 ounces and cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants.

What are the penalties under Michigan’s marijuana law for possessing more than these amounts? The MRTMA makes a distinction of whether the amount possessed was more or less than two times the allowable amount.

For instance, if an adult possessed 4.5 ounces of marijuana in their vehicle, which is less than two times the amount permitted (2.5 x 2 = 5.0), the penalty is as follows:

First violation: civil infraction punishable by up to a $500 fine only

Second violation: civil infraction punishable with a fine not more than $1,000

Third and subsequent violation: misdemeanor punishable with a fine not more than $2,000

All of these offenses also cary the penalty of confiscation of the marijuana. What’s interesting is the fact that once a person commits two violations for these acts, every following violation, for the rest of their life is a misdemeanor.

They’ll never go to jail (save for contempt of court) but it’s a criminal offense that will be reported to your record. The fine is quite large as well.

This section explains what the penalty is for cultivating up to 24 plants or possessing not more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana. What if someone cultivates 25 plants?

Possessing or growing more than two times the amount allowed by law (Sec. 15.4)

The penalty for possessing more than twice the amount allowed is a misdemeanor but the maximum fine isn’t identified nor does the number of violations matter.

What does matter is whether there’s proof that the violation was “habitual, willful and for a commercial purpose.” If so, the person can be punished by a maximum jail term of one year.

If it cannot be proven there’s any “commercial purpose” the penalty is a misdemeanor without any potential jail time.

Commercial could be defined to mean profit, trade, business or money oriented.

Therefore, a person possessing a half pound of marijuana with the intent or purpose of selling it to another over the age of 21 will be subject to a misdemeanor, probation and potential jail time.

The government will likely argue that civil asset forfeiture will also be possible in this circumstance. What happens if there’s a distribution or sale of marijuana to a person under the age of 21?

Marijuana Offenses Specific to persons under the age of 21 years old (Section 15.3)

There are offenses and penalties that are specific to those younger than 21 years of age but only if they’re in possession of an amount equal to or less than 2.5 ounces or 12 plants. The following offenses are captured under this section:

• using marijuana in public
• delivery of marijuana to a person under the age of 21 or its receipt by someone under the age of 21
• possessing marijuana or consuming while on school grounds

Under these circumstances if the offender is under the age of 18 the penalties are different as well as the number of previous offenses.

• A first offense is a civil infraction with a fine of $100 or community service and the completion of a four hour drug education class.
• A second offense is a a civil infraction with a fine of $100 or community service and the completion of an eight hour drug education class.
• For those between the ages of 18 and 21 the penalties are the same but without the requirement of drug education/counseling

Marijuana Offenses The Penalties for Which Will Not Change Despite the MRTMA

There are several offenses that are not specifically enumerated by the MRTMA. These offenses include the following:

Distribution of marijuana to a person under the age of 21 is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison. It doesn’t matter if there was an exchange of money.

Further, the distribution of marijuana to any person in exchange for money otherwise known as “remuneration,” is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison.

Marijuana Offenses Newly Created by the MRTMA

The following offenses where specifically prohibited by the MRTMA but the penalty wasn’t identified:

• Consuming marijuana while driving (not driving under the influence of marijuana).
• Smoking marijuana in the passenger compartment of a vehicle
• Possessing or consuming marijuana on school grounds or a correctional facility (over the age of 21)
• Butane extraction in a residence or vehicle

These actions are prohibited by the MRTMA but there’s no similar offense for this conduct in the Controlled Substance Act. But it should be obvious by now that the penalties under Michigan’s marijuana law can be serious.

Facing drug charges including marijuana? Unhappy with your current attorney? Request a free consultation now.